Tamper protective closure



- Feb. 13, 1962 H. MAACK TAMPER PROTECTIVE CLOSURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1959 FIG.

HANS MAACK INVENTOR.

ATTY.

Feb. 13, 1962 Filed Aug. 24, 1959 H. MAACK 3,021,034

TAMPER PROTECTIVE CLOSURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

I [m 45 75 I 1,43

FIG. 4

57 A W m v.1 life INVENTOR. UAH5 MAACK 3,021,034 Patented Feb. 13, 1962 3,021,034 TAMPER PROTECTIVE CLOSURE Hans Maack, 321 E. 92nd St., New York, N.Y. Filed Aug. 24, 1959, er. No. 836,572 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-153) This invention pertains to locking closures. More particularly the invention relates to a tamper protected closure which can be removed from a covered element only by a keyed member combining the facilities of a key and a wrench.

This application is a continuation in part of application Serial 605,525, filed August 22, 1956 abandoned October 20, 1959.

Key operated closures of the prior art are quite diversified. Elements having deformable covers, spring biased lock caps, barrel locks or more or less complicated lever and spring operated mechanisms are quite common and have met with varying degrees of commercial success. Nearly all of the prior patented devices, however, are unduly complicated and expensive to fabricate. The present invention. obviates many of the Shortcomings of prior structures and envisions a relatively simple closure cap or cover having a unique locking jacket which provides its own protection against untimely or unwarranted removal, of the closure which serves concomitantly as a functioning part of the integrally formed locking element; The apparatus of the invention is distinguished by its simplicity and by the diversification of uses to which it may be applied.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a tamper preventing locking closure having fewer moving parts and one which may be applied to a wide variety of containers or cover members to reduce the hazard of unwarranted removal of container contents or careless operation of devices for which the closures serve as a protective cover.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a screw cap closure having a uniquely manipulatable jacketing member providing entry for a keyed wrench.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tamper preventing locking closure having relatively displaceable apertures which must be brought into alignment before a keyed member can be operatively applied to remove the closure from the covered element.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a tamper proof closure having relatively displaceable, threaded apertures which are brought into alignment by a tubular wrench which Serves as a pouring spout for emptying the contents of the container to which the closure is applied.

It is likewise an object of the invention to supply a closure cap of relatively simple design having substantially few moving parts which is better adapted to the prevention of the damage to the capping element and to preventing untimely or unauthorized removal from the covered element.

For a better understanding of the invention together with other and further objects thereof, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, while its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing an apertured closure having an integrally formed bleeder arrangement with multiple channelled connections between container and pouring spout.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a closure and cap arrangement and having a keyed spout member interchangeably insertable with a plug in the pouring channel of the closure.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a tamper proof closure cap having a tapering pouring channel and showing bleeder means providing by the keyed spout.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an alternative capping closure arrangement having a double ended plug for oppositely disposed pouring and bleeder apertures in the.

cap.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tamper proof closure of the invention generally indicated as 13-, is applied to the rim of a container 10, having tapering threads 12. The closure includes a substantially solid body portion 14, of metal, plastic or other suitable material. A metallic or other jacket 17, is fitted closely about the body of the closure and is maintained freely rotatable, thereon. To all intents and purposes, the jacket incloses the inner cap member without interfering with the frictional contact between the threading of the cap or container stem. Edges 18, of the jacket are spun or otherwise turned under to hold the body portion and to maintain the jacket in a freely rotatable state but with little or no longitudinal movement with respect to the cap or body. Gasketing or ring washer 11, is positioned within the cap body 14, to come into contact with the rim of the container when the closure is tightened upon the stem.

Apertures 19, 19a, in the jacket 17, are positioned so as to bebrought into coincidence with bore or open ended channel 16, through member 14, by rotation of the jacket upon the cap body. Channels 61, 62, 63, in the cap body interconnect main pouring channel 16, and the interior of the container for a purpose to be described.

A keyed, threaded plug 60, and a combination spout and wrench 20, having a specifically contoured insert 21, applicable within a mating recess 22, in the plug are interchangeably insertable at either end of the channel 16, when the jacket apertures are brought into alignment therewith as by rotation of the jacket upon the cap or body. Though plug and spout members illustrated in FIG. 1 are shown as being interchangeable and threadably insertable within wide openings 23 at either end of the pouring channel, it will be understood that these members may be smoothly. contoured rather than threaded or otherwise rendered tight fitting and other plug means may be incorporated without departing from the basic concept of the invention.

Spout member 20, has a channel 43, extending centrally for its entire length to be aligned with the pouring channel when the threaded or plugging end of the spout is in pouring position.

To position the closure operatively upon the stem of a valve, pipe or fluid container, jacket 17, of the closure 13, is hand manipulated as any conventional screw until threads of the cap advance beyond the relatively frictionless contact with tapered threads 12 and until friction between cap and container threading exceeds the sliding friction between jacket and cap. The jacket then will turn freely upon; the cap body without advancing itupon the container threading. By. observation, apertures 19, 19a, are aligned with main channel boring 16; keyed end 21, of the pouring spout 2,0, is inserted through the jacket and into the cap and is turned to tighten the cap assembly securely upon the rim of the container or valve stem. Thereafter, hand manipulation of the jacket will have no effect in an attempt to remove the closure with out a suitable key.

After the key is removed, a turn of the jacket will displace the apertures horizontally and no amount of turning force applied to the freely rotatable jacket will be effective to rotate the cap upon the threading of the closed element. To remove the cap, the procedures are reversed. The apertures of the jacket are first aligned visually or by feel with the keyed end of the combined spout and wrench, which, after insertion into the cap is turned counterclockwise to unscrew the capping member.

Where the tamper proof closure of the invention is applied to fluid containers or cut-offs, the unique multiple interconnecting channelling between oppositely disposed bleeder and pouring apertures 19, 19a, of the cap and jacket is highly advantageous. After plugs 60, are removed and spout member 20, is inserted as shown in FIG. 1, channels 61, 62, and 63, interconnecting the main pouring channel 16, bleeder and pouring openings 23, and container 10, provided free egress for the contents of the container when tilted through channel 43 of the spout 20. The provision of separate channels within the cap for outgoing fluid and a branch channel 61, for incoming air through aperture 19a, is a material contribution to pouring facility. Flow stoppage when pouring due to tension upon the surface of the fluid as when one pouring channel is utilized, is virtually eliminated.

It will be observed that when the container is quite full, tilting will permit flow of the container contents outwardly through channels 62, and 63, simultaneously, while the entry of air through bleeder 19a, exerts pressure through channel 61, and, as the level of the fluid in the container drops, middle channel 62, also becomes available to outside atmospheric pressure, thus providing additional air pressure and consequently improved pouring facility through channel 63, and the spout.

As shown in FIG. 2, jacket 31, and cap body 28, each have but one alignable aperture. In this figure and in FIG. 3, the bleeder arrangement has been incorporated in the keyed member 34. Container 25, threading 27, flanges 32, and pouring channel 26 integrally formed within the cap body 28, are applied in a manner described in connection with FIG. 1. The keyed spout member 34, is shown inserted within plug 42.

Containers for a wide variety of materials, fluid, granular, etc., are susceptible to locking by the closure of the invention. Poisons, explosives, essential oils, or any product wherein danger, extreme value or criticality of the product requires caution in access, are particularly susceptible to the novel features of the closure herein identified.

In FIG. 3, for example, a closure generally indicated as 30, has cap body portion 28, jacket 40, and restraining flanges 39, is shown applied to container 36. In this embodiment, the channel within the solid portion 28, of the cap is smoothly tapered which renders the cap particularly suitable for pouring granular or solid materials. Threading 38, is adapted to receive a plug or the combination wrench and spout member 34, as described previously. It will be noted that when the spout is in pouring position as here illustrated, keyed member extension 46, illustrated in plug removing position in FIG. 2, has its centrally bored channel 45, at right angles and upwardly with respect to pouring channel 43, to serve as a bleeder built into the spout to permit atmospheric pressure to act upon the fluid in the container channel thereby overcoming the effects of surface tension of the fluid at the opening of bore 43 which otherwise would restrain or hamper the free flow of material through the spout. For optimum results, in closures of the type illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ratio between the diameter of the bleeder bore and that of the spout must be accurately predetermined. Member 34, thus is an important feature of the invention. It serves as a pouring spout, as a means for relieving fluid surface tension to facilitate pouring and as a keyed wrench for insertion and removal of the plug 42, and also as a tool for aligning the apertures in cap and cover of the closure in a manner described in connection with the operation of the closure of FIG. 1.

Alternative means for relieving surface tension of the container contents is depicted in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, additional apertures 57 and 58 are provided in the cap body 28, and the cover or jacket 40. These apertures may be disposed at an suitable angle, preferably 180 degrees radially, with respect to apertures 38 and 41 respectively. The additional apertures may have diameters of a size conforming to the critical bleeder/ pouring ratio previously referred to in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be understood that all four apertures will align simultaneously. Entry of air through apertures 58, 57, and 41 being in more favorable aspect to spout channel 43, when spout 34 is inserted, thereby providing improved pouring facility.

This structure has the disadvantage of requiring separate plugs for bleeder and pouring apertures in the cap. Furthermore, the plugs when inserted have to clear the inner surface of the cover 40 to provide free rotation of the latter. Accordingly, I have provided a novel, double ended plug 50, in lieu of the plugs previously described. Ends 51, 52, of the plug may be threaded or otherwise formed for simultaneous engagement with apertures 38 and 57 thus closing off or opening the oppositely disposed apertures in the cap wall. To assure satisfactory alignment of the threading or forming on the plug with those of the cap, the wall of the pouring channel 37 may be provided with suitable guides or tapering as at 52, to provide a suitable receptor for the small end of the plug. In other respects, the operation of the closure of FIG. 4, is essentially similar to that of the prior showings.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tamper proof closure for a container comprising a cap having a threaded aperture and being threadably engageable with the rim of a container; a tapering pouring channel formed within said cap; and apertured member jacketing said cap and being freely rotatable with respect thereto to align the apertures with said pouring channel and being restrained from vertical movement with respect to said cap; a plug for said pouring channel; a key interchangeably associated with and adapted to removal of said plug through said apertures and having angularly extended and connecting channels therein, one of said channels serving as a pouring spout, the other channel providing means for relieving the surface tension of fluid dispensable through said key from said container.

2. A tamper proof closure for a container comprising a cap having oppositely disposed apertures therein and being threadably engageable with the rim of a container; a member having oppositely disposed apertures therein jacketing said cap and being freely rotatable thereon to align said apertures and being restrained from vertical movement with respect to said cap; a plug adapted to closure of the apertures in said cap when inserted through an aperture in said cap and in said jacketing member; a key interchangeably associated with and adapted to removal of said plug through an aperture of said cap and an aperture in said jacket and having a hollow channel therein adapted to dispensing fluid from said container, the alignment of the oppositely disposed apertures in said cap and said jacket providing means for relieving the surface tension of fluid dispensable through said key from said container.

3. A tamper proof closure for a container comprising a cap having an aperture therein and being engageable with tapering threads on the rim of a container; a pouring channel formed integrally of said cap, an apertured member jacketing said cap and being freely rotatable with respect thereto to align said aperture with said pouring channel and being restrained from vertical movement with respect to said cap by a flange; a plug for said pouring channel insertable through said cap and jacket apertures; a key having angularly disposed, bored extensions,

one extension being adapted to removal of said plug, the other extension being engageable with threading on the rim of said pouring channel to provide an outlet for fluid in said container, and means including one of said extensions for relieving the surface tension of fluid in the vicinity of said outlet.

4. A tamper proof closure for a container comprising a substantially solid cap; an apertured member jacketing said cap and being freely rotatable with respect thereto but restrained from vertical movement with respect thereto; a pouring channel extending transversely through the solid portion of said cap, both ends of said chanel being open to the atmosphere and being engageable interchangeably by plugs and a keyed pouring spout adapted to the removal of said plugs through the apertures in said member; conduits extending through the solid portion of said cap from said pouring channel to the interior of said container and being so disposed that one of said conduits will provide ingress of air to relieve the surface tension of fluid in said container when another of said conduits provides egress for fluid from said container to said pouring channel for disposal through said keyed spout.

5. A tamper proof closure for a container comprising a substantially solid cap; an apertured member jacketing said cap and being freely rotatable With respect thereto but restrained from vertical movement With respect thereto; a pouring channel extending transversely through the solid portion of said cap, both ends of said channel being open to the atmosphere and being engageable interchangeably by plugs and a keyed pouring spout adapted to the removal of said plugs through the apertures in said member; conduits extending through the solid portion of said cap and vertically downward from different locations along said pouring channel to the interior of said container and being so disposed that one conduit Will provide ingress of air to relieve surface tension of fluid in said container While another conduit provides egress for fluid from said container for disposal through said pouring channel.

6. A tamper proof closure for a container comprising a substantially solid cap; an apertured member jacketing said cap and being freely rotatable with respect thereto but restrained from vertical movement with respect thereto; a pouring channel extending transversely through the solid portion of said cap, both ends of said channel being open to the atmosphere and being engageable interchangeably by plugs and a keyed pouring spout adapted to the removal of said plugs through the apertures in said member; conduits of different diameter extending through the solid portion of said cap from spaced locations along said pouring channel to the interior of said container and being so disposed that one end of said pouring channel provides egress for fluid from said container through one of said conduits while the opposite end of said pouring channel provides ingress of air to relieve the surface tension of the fluid Within said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 776,190 Levine Nov. 29, 1904 2,023,837 Heins Dec. 10, 1935 2,027,503 Whitehead Jan. 14, 1936 2,569,257 Parker Sept. 25, 1951 

